LIVE: CHI Health gives omicron update, discusses healthcare workforce strategy

(WOWT) - Below are today's vaccination updates as well as data reports on new cases and other COVID-19 stats reported by health officials across Nebraska and western Iowa.

Keep scrolling to find helpful links and other information, including phone numbers to call for help getting signed up for your vaccine.

CHI Health discusses omicron, staffing

In an update on their COVID-19 response, CHI Health's new CEO and president, E. J. Kuiper, officials will talk steps to rebuild their healthcare workforce post-pandemic. He will be joined by Ed Hannon, President of CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island; and Kevin Miller, president of CHI Health Lakeside and CHI Health Midlands in the Omaha-metro.

Watch the livestream above, in our apps, and on our Facebook page.

Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan also talked about the latest on the omicron variant and when the peak is expected in Nebraska.

Douglas County update

DEATHS: The Douglas County health department reported three COVID-19 deaths on Thursday: An unvaccinated man in his 40s and a man and a woman ages 85-95 — both vaccinated — have died, bringing the local pandemic death toll to 988 people.

CASES: Also on Thursday, DCHD reported 1,197 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the community total to 135,571 cases since March 2020.

The latest report dropped the local case average to 1,078 cases from 1,098 cases. About a month ago, just after Christmas, it was 278 cases. About two months ago, just after Thanksgiving, it was 261 cases.

The Douglas County health department's COVID-19 dashboard showed a seven-day average of 1,340.7 cases per 100,000 people. That's down from 1,486.5 reported earlier this week, and continues the downward trend from the peak average of more than 1,800 cases per 100,000 people reported about two weeks ago.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Wednesday afternoon, local hospitals were 88% full, with 173 beds available, down from 175 a day earlier and 268 earlier this week. ICUs were 86% full with 41 beds available, down from 48 the day before and 50 earlier in the week. Pediatric ICUs remained 80% full, with 27 beds available.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: Local hospitals were caring for 30 fewer COVID-19 patients than the pandemic record number earlier in the week. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were a total of 432 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Of those patients, 21 were in pediatric care. In local ICUs, there were 91 adult patients; 46 patients were on ventilators.

Additionally, 21 patients — 14 adult patients and seven pediatric patients — were awaiting COVID-19 test results.

Bryan Health update

Bryan Health, based in Lincoln, said Thursday that it was caring for 92 COVID-19 patients, 12 of them on ventilators. The health system is also caring for two pediatric COVID-19 patients.

The hospital system also reported Thursday that 39% of its 43 ICU beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Additionally, 11 more patients were awaiting COVID-19 test results.

Vaccination clinics

Nebraska DHHS

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program: Pharmacies in and near the Omaha-metro area currently participating in the program include:

Medicine Man Pharmacy, 15615 Pacific St. Suite 8, Omaha NE 668118
ViaRx, 825 N. 90th St., Omaha NE 68114
Walmart, 3010 E. 23rd St., Fremont NE 68025

Douglas County

Below is a list of the Douglas County COVID-19 vaccination clinics scheduled for this week, including child vaccination clinics at area schools. All clinics are open to the public for any approved shot in the vaccination series as indicated below. Those planning to get a booster shot should bring their vaccination card.

THURSDAY

4-7 p.m. at Bryan High School, located at 4700 Giles Road – Pfizer for ages 5+ available
4-7 p.m. at Omaha North High Magnet School, located at 4410 N. 36th St. – All vaccines available

FRIDAY

9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st. St. – All vaccines available

MONDAY

10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Metropolitan Community College's Elkhorn Valley Campus, located at 829 N. 204th St. – Pfizer for ages 5+
5-7 p.m. at Beals Elementary School, located at 1720 S. 48th St. – Pfizer for ages 5+
5-7 p.m. at Pinewood Elementary School, located at 6717 N. 63rd St. – Pfizer for ages 5+

TUESDAY

Noon-4 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st. St. – All vaccines available
5-7 p.m. at Gomez Heritage Elementary School, located at 5101 S. 17th St. – Pfizer for ages 5+
5-7 p.m. at Standing Bear Elementary School, located at 15860 Taylor St. – Pfizer for ages 5+

WEDNESDAY

9 a.m.-noon at Metropolitan Community College's South Omaha Campus, located at 829 N. 204th St. – Pfizer for ages 5+
10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 5544 Ames Ave. – Pfizer for ages 5+and Moderna

THURSDAY FEB. 3

1-4 p.m. at Metropolitan Community College's Fort Omaha Campus – Building No. 23, located at 32nd & Sorensen Parkway, – Pfizer for ages 5+
4-7 p.m. at Benson High Magnet School, located at 5120 Maple St. – Pfizer for ages 5+
4-7 p.m. at Omaha South High Magnet School, located at 4519 S. 24th St. – Pfizer for ages 5+

FRIDAY FEB. 4

9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st. St. – All vaccines available

SATURDAY FEB. 5

10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Nelson Mandela Elementary School, located at 6316 N. 30th St. – Pfizer for ages 5+ and Moderna
Noon-3 p.m. at Girls Inc., located at 2811 N. 45th St. – All vaccines available

About Text Nebraska

The Douglas County Health Department on Thursday was encouraging residents who test positive for COVID-19 to cooperate with Text Nebraska in order to help prevent further spread of the virus.

If you are age 19 or older, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, and provided a cell number when registering for your test, you will likely receive a text message from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services phone number 1-844-774-7604 that prompts you to take a survey. Adding that number to your phone's directory will assure that your phone or provider doesn't mark it as a spam call.

"It is not spam and is safe to respond," DCHD said in a Thursday news release, noting that the survey is completely digital and doesn't require you to speak with anyone.

"Text Nebraska is the next step in contact tracing, and this is where you can help," Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse said in the release. "Your response is needed as the number of cases makes it impossible for our staff to keep up with the demand."

In-home appointments

DCHD is helping those homebound to get vaccinated, scheduling in-home appointments for all three adult vaccination varieties, for any shot in the series.

To arrange this, call the DCHD information helpline at 402-444-3400.

OneWorld child vaccination clinics

OneWorld is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations, for children ages 5-11, at the following clinics:

Livestock Building, located at 4920 S. 30th St. in south Omaha
In Bellevue, at 2207 Georgia Ave.
In northwest Omaha at 4229 N. 90th St.
In Plattsmouth at 122 S. Sixth St.

OneWorld will also offer children's COVID-19 vaccinations at school health centers:

Bryan High School, located at 4700 Giles Road
Indian Hill Elementary, located at 3121 U St.
Liberty Elementary, located at 2021 St. Mary's Ave.
Spring Lake Elementary, located at 4215 S. 20th St.

Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis; or you can call 402-734-4110 to make an appointment.

Children's Hospital

Children's Hospital is planning to offer dedicated COVID-19 vaccination clinics for about a month, starting by Thursday, Nov. 11 — or sooner, if they are supplied the doses before that.

5-7 p.m. Thursdays at West Village Pointe and Spring Valley offices
8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at West Village Pointe and Spring Valley offices

After Saturday, Dec. 11, pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations will be available by appointment at any Children's Hospital location.

Tuesday and Thursday appointments available at the Mission Village location, 16909 Q St. Call 402-955-7575 or 402-955-SHOT (7468) for available times.
Thursday and Friday appointments available at the Dundee location, 4825 Dodge St. Call 402-955-7676 or 402-955-SHOT (7468) for available times.

Nebraska Medicine

Nebraska Medicine is offering COVID-19 vaccinations at clinics in several retail pharmacies and health centers around the Omaha-metro.

NebMed will provide Pfizer vaccinations by appointment at:

Eagle Run Health Center, located at 132nd Street and West Maple Road
Fontenelle Health Center, located at 50th Street and Ames Avenue
Girls Inc. Health Center, located at 45th Street and West Maple Road
Old Market Health Center, located at 13th and Leavenworth streets
Village Pointe Health Center, located at 175th and Burke streets

For those looking for walk-in appointments, single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccinations will be available at these pharmacies:

Outpatient Pharmacy at Bellevue Health Center, located at 25th Street and Highway 370, will offer J&J vaccinations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Outpatient Pharmacy at Durham Outpatient Center, located at 45th and Emile streets, will offer J&J vaccinations from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the weekends.

Around Omaha

SOUTH OMAHA: Testing and vaccinations are available at OneWorld, located at 4920 S. 30th St. Call 402-734-4110 to make an appointment for vaccinating anyone age 12 and older.

CHARLES DREW HEALTH CENTER: Call 402-451-3553 to schedule an appointment.

CHURCH CLINIC: Metropolitan Community Chuch of Omaha will host a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. No ID is required, but a parent or guardian must be present at the clinic with teens ages 12-18.

MCC FORT OMAHA: Vaccinations also will be distributed Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Metropolitan Community College's Fort Omaha campus, located at 5300 N. 30th St. Appointments will be made through the county's vaccination registry.

TOTAL WELLNESS: DCHD has been working with Total Wellness, located at 9320 H Court, to establish a vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

VETERANS: Any eligible veterans can obtain COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters at the Omaha VA Medical Center's COVID-19 vaccination clinics' walk-in hours from 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m. weekdays. Appointments can also be scheduled online.

Sarpy/Cass health district

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccinations at its offices, located at 701 Olson Drive in Papillion:

Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1-6 p.m.

The health department offers the first and second doses of Pfizer and Modern vaccines, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) single doses, and booster doses of all three vaccines.

Sarpy/Cass vaccination clinics

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department has scheduled vaccination clinics for all COVID-19 vaccine doses, including pediatric dose.

Appointments are recommended but not required. For scheduling assistance, call 833-998-2275 or 531-249-1873.

Pottawattamie County

Three Rivers health district

Three Rivers Public Health Department is giving out boosters to those in certain risk categories who have had Pfizer vaccinations. It is also working with area businesses and schools to provide plan more COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

We will be offering COVID vaccines in Fort Calhoun Saturday, January 29 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the high school. All vaccines will be free of cost. Primary and booster doses will be available. Please wear a mask due to local COVID case numbers. pic.twitter.com/hiOvJVcqOx
— Three Rivers Public Health (@threerivers_ph) January 24, 2022

Save the date! Next week, we'll be in Wahoo at the Senior Center on Thursday, February 3rd offering COVID vaccines. No appointment necessary. pic.twitter.com/SwQHoU8EYv
— Three Rivers Public Health (@threerivers_ph) January 25, 2022

Three regular pediatric vaccination clinics have been set up for children ages 5-11:

Wahoo: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month at 1320 E. 31st St.
Fremont: 3-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and noon-3:30 p.m. Fridays at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.

The health department has the necessary forms posted on their website, for minors and adults, for those who would like to fill them out ahead of their visit.

3RPHD's regular clinics will continue:

In Dodge County, the Three Rivers clinic at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave. in Fremont, is open for walk-ins from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; and noon to 3:30 p.m. Friday.
In Saunders County, the Three Rivers clinic in Lake Wanahoo, located at 1320 E. 31st St., is open to walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.

Those who are home-bound or require special accommodations but need a COVID-19 test or vaccine can contact the health district at 402-704-2245 to make arrangements.

Off-line help

CHI HEALTH VACCINE INFORMATION: The info line is available at 402-717-1255 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in August.

NEBRASKA VACCINE HOTLINE: Nebraskans can call 531-249-1873 or toll-free at 833-998-2275 for more information on the state's COVID-19 vaccination process.

DOUGLAS COUNTY HELPLINE: Local COVID-19 information, in Spanish and English, is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, except for holidays. Call 402-444-3400 for assistance.

IOWA VACCINE HOTLINE: Older or home-bound Iowans looking for help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination appointment can call 1-866-468-7887 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; or contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 712-328-2540 or 1-800-432-9209.

Resource links

Where to get a test: Douglas County

Vaccine sign-up: Douglas County | Sarpy/Cass | Three Rivers | Nebraska

Vaccinations at hospitals: Nebraska Medicine | Methodist Hospital | Children's Hospital

Vaccine information: Douglas County | Douglas County clinics | Nebraska || Iowa | Pottawattamie County | Mills County | Fremont County

COVID-19 risk dials: Lincoln-Lancaster County

WOWT.com quick search: COVID-19 | Coronavirus | Vaccine

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